Chapter XVI: “In times past men were contented to dwell in houses

built of sallow, willow &c., so that the use of the oak was in a
manner dedicated wholly unto churches, religious houses, princes’
palaces, navigation, &c., but now sallow &c., is rejected, and
nothing but oak any where regarded and yet see the change, for when
our houses were builded of willow then had we oaken men, but now that
our houses are come to be made of oak, our men are not only become
willow, but a great many altogether of straw, which is a great
alteration. Now have we many chimnies and yet our tenderlings
complain of rheums, catarrhs and poses; then had we none but
reredosses and our heads did never ache. For as the smoke in those
days was supposed to be a sufficient hardning of the timber of the
house, so it was reputed a far better medicine to keep the good man
and his family from the quack or pose, wherewith then very few were
acquainted.”